However, neither Markelov nor Makino would emerge as title favourites, as pole, victory and fastest lap in the Bahrain Feature for Lando Norris, arriving in F2 as the reigning FIA Formula 3 European Championship Champion, made the Brit the favourite for the crown.[5] Yet, fate would have it that the future McLaren F1 racer would only take one victory, leaving a fellow future F1 racer to come to the fore.[6]

That man appeared in the form of the 2017 GP3 Series Champion George Russell, although the Mercedes F1 backed youngster had to wait until the Baku Sprint to claim victory.[6] From then, however, Russell would barely lose his grip on the top of the F2 standings, picking up five further wins to head into the final pair of races in Abu Dhabi with a huge lead.[7]

Indeed, ahead of the penultimate race of the season only one other driver could deny Russell the crown, and only if they had a perfect weekend. That man proved to be Alexander Albon, whose momentum had steadily built throughout the season, although it was ultimately too late for the Anglo-Thai ace to realistically challenge.[8] Indeed, victory in the penultimate race of the season ensured that Russell claimed the title with a race to spare, while Norris' team Carlin secured the Teams' Championship.[8]

Across 24 races on the 2018 calendar there would be nine different winners representing six different teams, including two making their debuts in F2. There would also be a wave of mid-season seat changes as drivers were either banned, dropped or found employment elsewhere, with more than a dozen new faces to F2 making their debuts across the season.